Is your office desk a disaster zone? Don’t worry! Tidying up your desk space can be simple. Continue reading below for our best advice on eliminating clutter and maintaining a pristine work area!
Clear off the surface
Before you clean your desk, it’s important to clear off any papers, knick-knacks, and other objects that are cluttering the surface. Having a clear work space will make it easier for you to clean without having things getting in the way.
Separate the items into piles depending on what can be kept on the desk and what needs to be stored elsewhere (in drawers or in a filing cabinet).
Once you’ve got everything sorted out, you can move on to cleaning up your workspace.
Sort through papers
The first step to cleaning your desk is sorting through the various pieces of paper that may have accumulated on top of it. Whether its old bills, memos, documents, or just random scraps – go through them one-by-one and figure out what needs to be kept and what doesn’t.
- Old bills can usually be thrown away after a certain amount of time has passed.
- Memos and documents should be scanned into digital files and then tossed unless you know you need to have them handy for future reference.
- Once you’ve determined what paperwork is necessary, you can file or store the papers in an appropriate place or shred any papers that are not needed.
Organize files and documents
Organizing your documents and files should be the first step in desk-cleaning. Before you can go into the nitty-gritty of physically cleaning the surface, you will have to know where everything belongs. This can help alleviate clutter and make it easier to find things quickly during your work hours without searching for them for hours.
Separate important paperwork into categories such as:
- Bills
- Current projects
- Miscellaneous items
Make folders specifically for each one and keep all related papers in them. Place them in a designated spot either in a desk drawer or file cabinet so that they are easily accessed when needed. Once the pieces are sorted out, it’s time to start cleaning the desk surface!
Clean computer
Clean computer – Clearing out your work space starts with taking a minute to neaten up your computer. This means giving your keyboard, mouse and all other equipment a proper clean. Dust off the top of your desktop tower, give the front of your monitor wipe down, and clean off any dirt or fingerprints on the sides with either rubbing alcohol or disinfecting wipes. With just a few minutes of cleaning every once in a while, your work area will stay much tidier.
Declutter
An organized and clutter-free workspace can help you stay more focused, make it easier to find what you need and create an overall professional look. To start off your desk cleaning process, it’s a good idea to begin by decluttering your desk.
- Start by looking at the objects that sit on or around your desk. If any of them are not frequently used, consider putting them away in drawers or filing cabinets.
- As you are evaluating which items take up valuable space on your desk, think about donating or recycling any items that have served their purpose but are no longer needed – this includes old projects and printouts of documents that may no longer be relevant.
- By removing the unnecessary clutter from your workspace, you will immediately be able to make use of the higher amount of available space and create a better work environment for yourself.
Clean and sanitize
Cleaning and sanitizing your office desk will help keep dust and germs away, making sure that you stay healthy. Start by cleaning the surface with a damp cloth or rag dipped in warm water and a small amount of detergent to remove any grease residue. Give your desk a thorough wiping all over – top, sides, drawers and underneath. Take care not to use too much moisture – excess water can damage the wood or veneer on your desk.
After cleaning, it is important to sanitize the surface as well. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant spray or wipe designed to kill 99.9% of all germs and bacteria. Spray or wipe down desks, keyboards, phones and other frequently used surfaces following the product instructions on the label carefully. Remember to ventilate the room properly when using these products, or use non-toxic natural cleaners such as vinegar and lemon juice diluted in warm water as an alternative. Allow any surfaces that you have wiped down to air dry before placing items back on top of them.
Keep frequently used items within reach
Keeping frequently used items within easy reach is one of the most important tips for keeping your office desk free from clutter and well-organized. Designate a certain area of your desk for items that you use on a regular basis. This will help to avoid having to search for them every time you need them and can also prevent accidental spills.
To ensure that all essential items are easily accessible, consider investing in containers such as drawers, trays or dividers that can be used to organize different types of items and keep them all stored in one place. Labeling the containers with what they contain can also help to quickly identify items.
Store items properly
An organized, tidy workspace is key to productivity and ensuring your desk is clutter-free, so be sure that all items you need are properly stored away. Separate your office supplies into multiple drawers and containers, while taking note of frequently used items – these should be kept in the topmost drawer for easy accessibility.
It’s also recommended that you invest in a label maker or a set of organizational folders so that you are able to find documents and other objects quickly and efficiently. If needed, install storage shelves or buy storage furniture for larger items such as printers. This will reduce the amount of clutter on your desk and help you maintain an orderly workspace.
Create a maintenance plan
Maintaining a clean office desk is an important task not just to make your work environment more pleasant, but also to keep organized. Start by creating a plan that works based on your needs. As the first step of organization, establish a specific time dedicated to desk maintenance each day or each week. While it only takes 15 minutes per day to clean, you’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up in terms of the overall organization. However, if you don’t have the time, you can always outsource it to a professional cleaning company to assist you with this.
Make cleaning and organizing your space part of your normal routine by setting a schedule for yourself and taking the initiative to stick with it.
Conclusion
With these tips, you now know how to keep your desk and workspace clean and organized. Cleaning your desk shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes a day and will help foster an environment of productivity, creativity, and better focus.
By removing clutter, simplifying your space, organizing the materials you need regularly while reinstalling the items that don’t need to take up space can help create an organized flow within a clean environment. Not only will it make all of your tasks much easier to complete, but a clean desk is sure to boost morale as well. After all- a neat workspace often results in peace of mind.
So set aside some time each day to clean up your workstation – it will definitely pay off in the end!